Issue 53

Lanthorn G R A N D VA L L EY

T H E S T U D E N T- R U N N E W S PA P E R S AT G R A N D V A L L E Y. W W W. L A N T H O R N . CO M READ THE ARTICLE:

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

READ THE ARTICLE:

Softball EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO 7 IN NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY TWINBILL

ROCK AGAINST RAPE RETURNS TO GV TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN

SEC DISCUSSES FRACKING, IMPLICATIONS FOR MICH. LAKES

www.lanthorn.com/sports

A&E I B4

www.lanthorn.com/lakerlife

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 9 , 2 01 2

POWER

GV students advance to ASME national engineering competition

BY ANYA ZENTMEYER GVL MANAGING EDITOR

F

ive Grand Valley State University engineering students placed in the American Society Of Mechanical Engineer’s 2012 District B Student Professional Development Conference and Student Leadership Seminar in Toledo last week.

The GVSU team — comprised of students Matthew Freundl, Caitlyn Hurley and team leader Steven Quirk — took second place in the district design competition, which will send them to internationals in

Houston in November. Sixteen teams competed in the district conference, and it was the third year in a row that GVSU teams qualified for internationals.

“Honestly, it feels great to be able to go to nationals in Houston this year,” said Quirk, who is also the vice president of GVSU’s own ASME chapter. “My team spent a lot of time working on our vehicles and its nice to see that all that hard work paid off.”

The teams were required to build four vehicles that followed the theme of “energy SEE ENGINEERING, A3

PLAY

“Honestly, it feels great to be able to go to nationals in Houston this year.

My team spent a lot of time working on our vehicles and it’s nice to see that all that hard work paid off.”

STeven quirk Vice President GVSU ASME

Adding to the collection

Courtesy Photo / ccw.com

Debate and protest: Grand Valley State University’s Students for Concealed Carry will host their annual, week-long Empty Holster protest on campus starting Monday.

GVL / Dylan Graham

For sale: GVSU students Damon Graham and Caleb Tacoma view the BFA show of art major Matthew Entingh.

University bolsters art collection with student works

BY Lizzy Balboa GVL NEWS EDITOR

Many artisans toil as “starving artists,” and Grand Valley State University is doing what it can to ease the burden of its art and photography majors by purchasing some of their work.

Last semester, the university bought a still-life painting of light coming through glass bottles from junior Elizabeth Uitvlugt, who constructed the work in her Introductory Painting class.

“You normally don’t see work being bought from an introductory class,” Uitvlugt said, adding that she sold the painting because she did not plan to include it in her post-graduation

portfolio. “It’s $200. I’m not going to turn down $200.”

The student said the opportunity to say she has artwork on display at a university will also benefit her professionally.

“It’s important to be able to show that you’re involved in the art community in your area and I think that can be done in multiple ways, but I think the more things that you have out there, the better,” she said. “Even if it is just a couple people looking at it in a hallway sometimes, it’s still out there.”

Uitvlugt is one of many students who capitalize on the university’s art interest.

Henry Matthews, director of Galleries and Collections at GVSU, said a lot of

“You normally don’t see work being bought from an introductory class.

It’s $200. I’m not going to turn down $200.” elizabeth uitvlugt junior

students put their artwork up for sale during senior exhibitions for the art and photography programs.

“I try, if I can, to buy one work from each graduating senior,” Matthews said, adding that he can’t always purchase something from every student. “It’ not always possible to buy a piece of art. It’s just too expensive … I do have to be selective.”

After the sale is made, the art enters the university’s permanent collection and is often times displayed in student housing centers, hallways and conference rooms.

Art professor Brett Colley said students can learn a lot from their first sale.

“The first time you sell a piece of artwork it deterSEE ART, A4

SCC protests for firearms on campus

BY Andrew Justus

GVL Assistant News Editor

Grand Valley State University’s Students for Concealed Carry will be hosting their sixth-annual Empty Holster Protest, starting Monday an lasting through the week.

The protest is part of a broader movement among concealed carry advocates across the country to express their desire for state legislatures to allow students and university employees with concealed pistol licenses to possess their firearms on campus.

The group sees Empty Holster Week as a way to provide information on the controversial issue of carrying firearms on college campuses. As the name would suggest, participants will carry their empty gun holsters to draw attention.

In addition to wearing their empty gun holsters, students from SCC will also be manning a table on campus to

“dispel common myths about firearms and discuss the evidence in support of removal of the pistol free zones,” said Brian Tucker, president of the GVSU chapter of SCC. The group will also be hosting a free self-defense class on Friday at 6 p.m. in the South Gym. SCC will be teaching Krav Maga self defense techniques similar to those used by the Israeli Defense Force and the U.S. military.

“We offer this self-defense class not because we believe our students will be the victims of violent crime, but because there is the possibility,” Tucker said.

The GVSU chapter of SCC was established last October and is affiliated with a national organization of the same name.

More information about SCC can be found at www. concealedcampusgv.org. assistantnews@ lanthorn.com

A2 NEWS

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

N E W S E D I TO R L I Z Z Y B A L B OA

Weathering the weather

NEWS BRIEFS Silent march to honor Cesar Chavez A silent march and keynote address at Grand Valley State University are planned to honor Cesar Chavez today.

The silent march will begin at noon in front of Zumberge Library on the Allendale Campus. A keynote address by Miguel Martinez-Saenz, “Courage, Hope and Love: Honoring the Legacy of Cesar Chavez,” will follow from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Grand River Room of the Kirkhof Center. Events are free and open to the public.

Martinez-Saenz is the associate provost of Undergraduate Education and Student Support Services at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. He has worked extensively with students on the importance of multicultural education.

Cesar Chavez events are sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Grand Valley, with support from many other campus departments.

Marketing class hosts scavenger hunt to benefit leukemia, lymphoma Students in MKT 369 are hosting a campus-wide scavenger hunt Saturday to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma. The scavenger hunt will begin at noon in Kirkoff’s Pere Marquette room. Individual participants will pay $3, while a four-person team will cost $12. Hunters will scurry across campus to find clues in the form of certain people and landmarks.

Prizes from event sponsors like 25 Kitchen and Bar, Gina’s Boutique, Peppino’s and Jimmy John’s will go to the top three finishers. Snacks will be provided for all participants.

For more information search “GVSU Hunt for the cure” on Facebook.

Retirement seminar approaching Health and Wellness will host its annual seminar geared for faculty and staff members who are nearing retirement.

“How to Retire Happy and Informed” is set for today from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Bicycle Factory, Room 330.

The seminar will discuss retirement aspects like Social Security, financial planning and career transitions. To register visit www.gvsu.edu/seminar, or call 616-331-2215 for more information.

WHAT’S INSIDE SECTION A News Opinion

SECTION B A2 A3

Sports A&E Marketplace

B1 B4 B5

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS The Walk for Waterwill take place April 21.

The March 26 “Professor starts exotic animal refuge in W. Mich.” was written by Briana Doolan, not Hannah Matro. The attribution appeared correctly online.

Lanthorn Volume 46, Number 53 The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published twice-weekly by Grand Valley State University students 62 times a year.

One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community.

For additional copies, please contact our business offices.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to Grand Valley Lanthorn, 0051 Kirkhof, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401

EDITORIAL STAFF

ADVERTISING STAFF

Assistant Sports Editor

Advertising Manager KEVIN HAUSFELD

JON VAN ZYTVELD

Asst. Advertising Manager KIMBERLY VERELLEN Account Managers MICHELLE SCHEFFERS TYLER SCHNEIDER ANGELA CAROLLO Ad Designers RANDI FORD NATALIE PATTERSON

BUSINESS STAFF Business Manager ALEX HOUSEMAN Receptionists SHANTI COLLINS ANGILEENA GIBSON Distribution THOMAS LEE STEPHEN PRATT STEVEN MERDZINSKI

Editor-in-Chief SAMANTHA BUTCHER Managing Editor ANYA ZENTMEYER Web Managing Editor HALEY OTMAN News Editor LIZZY BALBOA Assistant News Editor ANDREW JUSTUS Sports Editor BRADY FREDERICKSEN

Laker Life Editor RACHEL MELKE A & E Editor BRIANA DOOLAN Image Editor ERIC COULTER Assistant Image Editor ROBERT MATHEWS Copy Editor HALEY OTMAN Layout Editor VALERIE WALDBAUER Layout Staff KAYLA KOENIGSKNECHT SOPHIA HERCZEG JULIE SHEERAN Web Team TY BAILLIE THOMAS LEE

PLEASE RECYCLE

GVL / Allison Young

Green is good: A Sustainable Agriculture Project member sells organic vegetable at a booth under the Transformational Link on the Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus, encouraging eating healthy and practicing sustainable agriculture growth.

SAP’s Hoop House helps keep sustainability alive and well while temps fluctuate

By Sarah Hillenbrand GVL Staff Writer

W

ith the temperature fluctuating between the 70s and 80s last week and the 50s this week, it’s a mystery as to what next week’s weather has in store.

Despite the dynamic temperatures, those working at the Grand Valley State University Sustainable Agriculture Project have continued to grow crops year round in the Hoop House, which is technology that extends the growing season.

The Hoop House, funded by donations and installed in August 2011, regulates the temperature inside, said Bart Bartels, GVSU campus sustainability manager.

“It is a passive solar technology that captures solar energy and traps it and reradiates it,” said Levi Gardner, Sustainable Agriculture

Project manager at GVSU. “The Hoop House allows us to grow a select variety of crops year round, mostly root crops in the winter.”

Gardner said just one week of high temperatures will probably not have a big impact on this year’s growing season, but Bartels is not so sure.

“It’s a bit scary when flowers bloom and insects are out in March,” Bartels said. “I don’t know the full impact it may have because this is unprecedented territory.”

Regardless of the weather, the Hoop House still sees a number of student volunteers. Many students come out to work at the community garden throughout the year for service learning, internships, class requirements or just because they are interested in what is involved in growing crops.

Last year, the Sustain-

able Agriculture Project had around 400 students volunteer at the garden, Gardner said.

“I come out here because I get to do something tangible about how I feel about food,” said GVSU student Katie Morabito. “I think it’s important for students because they get hands on learning that is not necessarily provided in a lot of classes.”

Working at the Sustainable Agriculture Project gives many students a place where they can learn about agriculture and experiment with it, said Morabito. Many students who work at the garden experience something they have never done before, and it sets an example for others about having healthy food and how to grow it, she said.

“As a university, it is awesome to have a place we can say, ‘this is what ag-

riculture could look like,’” Morabito said. “It is a place that could be the beginning for farmers of the future, for sustainable farmers.”

The Sustainability Community Development Initiative helps to provide support for the garden and makes sustainability on campus a priority, Bartels said.

“Sustainability is important because it is making things better by cutting costs, reducing the environmental impact, and improving the lives of people in the community,” he said.

The Sustainable Agriculture Project is always looking for more volunteers to help out, or even just visitors to come see what is being done at the garden, Morabito said.

“We always enjoy having more people to help out or even just learn more about it,” she said. shillenbrand@lanthorn.com

A3 OPINION

Grand Valley Lanthorn thursday, MARCH 29, 2012

L A N T H O R N O P I N I O N O N L I N E AT L A N T H O R N . C O M R E A D T H E B LO G : “CHASING THE SKY”

BY K E V I N Va n A N T W E R P E N

VA L L E Y VOT E : Do you think there are enough opportunities to showcase student work at GV?

L AST I S S U E ’ S Q U E ST I O N : Do you think the investigation into Trayvon Martin’s death has been mishandled?

www.lanthorn.com/blog

Vote online at lanthorn.com

Y E S 71% N O 29%

EDITORIAL

Opportunity T o validate their art with sales is a goal for many artists, and thanks to a university program that seeks out student artwork for purchase, some students find their work lining the walls of Grand Valley State University — and some additional cash lining their pockets.

The art-buying program, discussed on A1 of this edition of the Lanthorn, is one of many opportunities GVSU gives to students to maximize their time and reward their achievements. Yes, every university has a

University art purchases, among other campus programs reinvest in students and encourage student achievement

vested interest in investing in its students, but GVSU gives students many opportunities to showcase both their creative projects and their scholarly work.

Of course, like everything else in life, these opportunities will only yield as much as you put into them. The university has done its job of meeting students halfway, and from there it’s up to us to make it to the middle.

Junior Elizabeth Uitvlugt was paid $200 for a painting she produced in an introduc-

QUESTION OF THE ISSUE

What is your favorite piece of art on campus?

“I like the Transformational Link because it’s abstract and can be interpreted many ways.”

Amber Breit

Senior, biomedical sciences, dance White Lake, Mich.

“I’m not much of an artsy person but on a daily basis I genuinely love the sight of the clock tower.

It’s a great structural addition to GVSU campus.”

Liz Kranz

Senior, cell and molecular biology Smithfield, Va.

“Transformational Link.”

tory course, the type of course some students blow off to deal with “more important” classes.

However, purchasing artwork isn’t the only way that students can be rewarded for their efforts. Researchers can present their findings in April’s Student Scholars Day, scholars can publish papers in the Grand Valley Journal of History and aspiring writers can submit work to GVSU’s literary magazine, Fishladder, or to various targeted collections of stories printed on campus, like

the Women’s Center’s In Her Words.

Ultimately, students are limited only by themselves. It’s hard to put yourself out there, but when it comes to your future, the risk is the reward that relies on hard work and a little bit of confidence.

Whether looking to build a resume, pad a grad school application or simply have a more fulfilling undergraduate experience, the opportunities are there for the taking — so it’s up to students to take the initiative, and to go ahead and grab them.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Publication of QOTI response inappropriate

A Letter to the Editor: I am not at all thrilled about picking up Monday’s issue and seeing such derogatory language published within it. I am an avid reader of The Lanthorn, oftentimes encouraging peers to take a gander at the newspaper as well. However, where I can give credit, I can also criticize.

This issue has been the second where my status as a Black woman has been threatened through this paper.

The Lanthorn is supposed to be the voice of Grand Valley, providing students with the platform to be themselves. I understand that wholeheartedly. My issue is with the continuous disrespect to my race. Does this mean that the voice of Grand Valley has a racist undertone?

Grand Valley prides itself on being diverse, but is this what diversity means? Picking up my school newspaper and seeing such defamatory language has made me question if I’m really welcome here. Does Grand Valley really aim to diversify with open arms?

Allow me to digress for a moment. A fellow student was quoted calling Trayvon Martin a “colored boy” in Monday’s issue. My race was referred to and identified as colored by Caucasians, after being called niggers

by Caucasians, after we had been taken from our native land and enslaved by Caucasians. We have fought long and hard for equality, and in 2012, words like “colored” should vanish from our vocabulary as it pertains

to the African American race.

Someone saying this, and it being printed, set us back as a university 100 years.

One of the first things you learn in journalism is to not print things that will offend or degrade someone or a group of people. This is clearly stated by AP Style, in which the Lanthorn follows The Lanthorn is not exempt.

Comments like these should not “slip through the cracks”, and whether you know it or not, this speaks to the carelessness and distasteful attempt to increase readership on your behalf. It also underlines the poor judgment of your editorial staff and calls in to question the message that you want to send to readers.

If you all wanted to create an uproar, you’ve gotten it.

I am livid with the idea that you as an editor thought it were okay to green light the comment. But understand this: someday your children or young siblings will have to live in the world that you foster through your writing and publishing. We as a country have come too far together to let things like this occur. Something has got to change.

Terria Williams Sophomore, Communication studies

VISIT LANTHORN.COM TO READ A BLOG RESPONSE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Life after college: there is one?

Lauren Francis

Freshman, biomedical sciences Plainfield, Ill.

“The marching band statues across from Kirkhof.”

Aaron McLaughlin Senior, management Hartland, Mich.

“Mine is the Blue Mac Bridge because people make their own art by the bridge by drawing on it, tying ribbons to the rails and throwing stuff on the bridge.”

Brad Mesclier

Senior, secondary education, math White Lake, Mich.

Lanthorn

The student-run newspapers at Grand Valley State University

EDITORIAL PAGE BOARD SAMANTHA BUTCHER ANYA ZENTMEYER HALEY OTMAN KEVIN HAUSFELD

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Web Managing Editor Advertising Manager

GVL OPINION POLICY The ultimate goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn opinion page is to stimulate discussion and action on topics of interest to the Grand Valley Community. Student opinions do not reflect those of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three vehicles of expression for reader opinions: letters to the editor, guest columns and phone responses.

Letters must include the author’s name and be accompanied by current picture identification if dropped off in person. Letters will be checked by an employee of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

Letters appear as space permits each issue. The limit for letter length is one page, single spaced.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense letters and columns for length restrictions and clarity.

All letters must be typed.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn will not be held responsible for errors that appear in print as a result of transcribing handwritten letters or e-mail typographic errors.

The name of the author may be withheld for compelling reasons.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by nor necessarily represent those of the university, its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty and staff.

BY CHRIS SLATTERY GVL COLUMNIST

If you haven’t read any of my columns in the past few months or talked to me recently (consider yourself lucky), I’m supposed to graduate in about a month.

My parents are very proud, my friends are already toasting to getting me out of here and I feel a personal sense of accomplishment.

I mean, holy cow, I’m graduating from COLLEGE! According to the Education Connection commercials, that means I’ll earn a higher salary! So why isn’t that enough for people? It seems as though every person has to ask, “So what are you doing after you graduate?”

Are you kidding me?

You’re saying after all of this, I have to do something else?!

I don’t know. I really don’t, and from the sound of it, no one else does either. Unless you’re planning on going to grad school or have one of those “yeah, I sent in applications to potential employers months ago” personalities, graduation simply means that you have no more homework.

And, if you’re like me — a person with two student jobs — no more employment.

To a certain degree (pun…), I kind of understand the question of what I’m doing. People are naturally inquisitive and graduating is a huge milestone in a person’s life (which is why important events aren’t called inchstones). But at the same time, I have to ask, “Honestly, what do you care? Are you expecting some interesting job prospect as a response? Because I

totally got that assistant editor position at Rolling Stone.”

Not really, though, because I am greatly underqualified.

“I don’t know” doesn’t seem to satisfy anyone though. Yeah, I wish I had this all figured out by now, but is it really the worst thing in the world that I don’t have employment straight out of university? I would have gone with war or famine as the “worst thing,” but what do I know, right? I don’t even have a job.

Jeez, maybe I don’t even know what exactly I want to do. However, the answer is “No, not a novel” because that amount of dedication freaks me out, and “No, not journalism” because interviewing people gives me the willies.

That fact is also hard for people to swallow: I’m pretty much directionless

after graduation. It seems a bit trite, like I’ve walked into some low-budget 20-something film that’s popular in Facebook statuses for years to come, but I don’t see what’s wrong with finding my footing after college ends. Really, school is all I’ve know for my conscious life, and — call me selfish — I’m not sure how much I want to jump into a “career” immediately. If you knew me in gym class, you’d know that jumping is not one of my skills. And, knowing me now, a career probably wouldn’t be one either. Selfdeprecation, however, is like a second major to me.

I’ll look towards the future with a lazy eye (I could phrase that better, but won’t), and until then, I’ll be happy with one achievement. That’s all the Education Connection commercials wanted from me, anyway. cslattery@lanthorn.com

Give your employer your Facebook password

BY KEVIN VANANTWERPEN GVL COLUMNIST

I was enthralled when I read an article in the New York Times the other day, describing a new trend among employers: they’d ask job applicants for their Facebook login and password. You know – just to make sure the applicant isn’t a pedophile or something like that.

I totally believe in this philosophy. It’s why every time I go on a date, I ask the girl for recent check stubs, medical records and often her text and image-message history from the past four

years. Oh, and the keys to her house for a surprise inspection (I save that one for last — tends to get a negative reaction). Because, I mean, in this culture, that woman may look like a cute blonde with strawberry freckles, but deep down she could be anything — a terrorist, or God forbid, maybe even Snooki in disguise.

I do understand those of you who have a concern for privacy. I know I’d be ashamed if they found all the self-nudes and love notes I’ve been sending to Willem Dafoe’s Twitter account every day. He still hasn’t replied — I know, it’s crazy, right? How could a man so beautiful ever pay attention to little old me?

But I digress.

Recently Facebook made a statement informing employers that it was against the site’s terms-of-use to ask for another person’s private information. This makes me want to find Mark Zuckerberg and slap his face right off of his face. I mean, really, Mark? Like you’ve never intercepted and read someone’s mail just to make sure they weren’t a threat. It’s the same thing.

Two Democratic senators have also asked the Attorney General to investigate the practice, since it would technically be a violation of federal law. This one’s easier to explain — everyone knows liberals oppose anything that would protect us from the enemy (such as feeling up old ladies at the airport, and

listening in on sex-line phone calls in case they say things like “bomb” or “destroy the free world as we know it”).

Sure, they say it’s about civil liberties and freedom, but those things died in the 1800s.

Let’s face it. There’s nothing in this world more important than security. Not freedom. Not dignity. Not self respect. Because if that girl you’re on a date with turns out to be a Kardashian, she’d totally tie you to the bed and break your knees (“You won’t be needing those anymore”) and all your freedom, dignity, and self-respect would vanish anyway. kvanantwerpen@ lanthorn.com

NEWS A4

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

ENGINEERING continued from A1

diversity.” Quirk’s team decided on battery power, wind power, potential energy stored in a wound rubber band and a carbon dioxide canister to power their vehicles and ultimately lead their team to a thirdplace victory and a $300 prize.

“As for (if I am) nervous, I would have to say a little,” Quirk said about nationals. “The District competition was tougher than most people thought it was going to be, including us. Our competition was on of the first, most others will be later this month or early

next month so we have no idea who or what we will be up against in November when we head to Nationals.”

Product design and manufacturing seniors Jacob Hall and Alexander Hastings won third place in the district design competition, and two other design times placed in fourth and fifth place. In addition, student Kathryn Drouillard won third place in the poster competition.

“All the teams members from all teams did a fantastic job and I believe everyone deserves recognition for such an accomplishment,” Hall said.

“The district competition was tougher than we most people thought it was going to be, including us.”

STEVEN QUIRK vice president gvsu ASME

Wendy Reffeor, the design competition’s chief judge, Wael Mokhtar, West Michigan senior section chair and Nael Barakat, ASME District B chair led the GVSU teams into the district competition with Sung-Hwan Joo, the ASME student section advisor.

Student businesses get jump start at competition

Courtesy Photo / David Chandler

adVENTURE: A competitor makes his pitch on stage at last years’ Business Plan Competition.

BY Lizzy Balboa GVL NEWS EDITOR

G

rand Valley State University is providing its businessminded students the opportunity to win $3,000 to jump-start their ventures.

Eight student companies have already survived three selection rounds and will contend for the grand prize Thursday in GVSU’s fifthannual Business Plan Competition. The companies will each deliver a 10-minute presentation on their business plans to a panel of five judges, four of whom are top administrators of successful businesses and are unaffiliated with GVSU. The participants will also hear from keynote speaker Kathy Crosby, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids.

Ulandra Reynolds, program coordinator for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said GVSU supports this program to encourage “talent development and business support.”

“Because they are student ventures, not all of them succeed, but some have done very well,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said none of

the companies have earned money before, but one has already performed operations. The competitors are juniors, seniors and graduate students, and their fields of study range from marketing and management to computer science to biomedical sciences. However, each brings an idea to contribute to society, no matter how small the change may be.

Tyler Way, a GVSU alumnus and past winner of the competition, said his proposed business plan was to customize sneakers, clothing apparel and other products, as well as to collaborate with other bigname brands to design merchandise.

“The business is still going down the path of that plan,” Way said. “Sometimes it doesn’t happen as quickly as hoped, but then again, nothing is an overnight success. The joy of being an entrepreneur is the process, and I’ve been enjoying that as much as I can along the way.”

The competition helped Way by forcing him to overcome fears that could hinder his success, he said, adding that he felt uncomfortable and vulnerable at times

when pitching his ideas on a public stage.

“The most valuable lesson I took away from the competition was to be open to share my ideas and passions with others,” Way said. “I’m naturally a quiet person, so to force myself to open up on stage and share my vision was a big challenge for me. Looking back on it, it was one of the biggest highlights from my college years.”

Although the winner of the competition earns a monetary prize, those who lose still benefit from their attempts.

Reynolds said simply participating in the competition is a valuable experience for students pursuing business ventures because they meet and make connections with local entrepreneurs and business executives, as well as learn how to go through the process of pitching their ideas.

Learning to lose is also key to becoming a successful businessperson.

“Failure is an important step,” Reynolds said. “If you learn to fail fast you do better later on.” news@lanthorn.com

“I think we’ll do really well, actually, in the national competition,” Joo said. “It’s in November in Houston. We are sending both teams again, and I think they will do a great job. The quality (of their work) was way better than other teams.”

ART

continued from A1

mines the market value that you can expect for your work for future sales,” Colley said, adding that selling artwork as a student is advantageous. “Selling your work is one of the critical ways we continue to subsidize making of the work.

Students who sell work put the money right back into materials to continue [making art].”

The sale of a piece of artwork also allows students to start making tax deductions based on materials used.

Essentially, making sales sustains a career in art production, Colley said, adding that sales also benefit students applying to work specifically in commercial galleries. “A [hiring] commercial gallery is pretty interested in the financial viability of that person,” he said.

Matt McLogan, vice president of public relations, expressed his pride in GVSU’s art collection, which he said began under former president Arend Lubbers who picked out much of the artwork, himself. “[Former] President Lubbers believes that art

Quirk said nationals will have the same theme as the district competition; only the challenge will lie in finding ways to make impressive improvements.

“We plan on making several modifications that make the vehicles run straighter and faster, as well as maybe replacing one or two,” Quirk said.

Quirk attributes the team’s success to support from the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing as well as the advisors and professors that organized the trip and encouraged students along the way. managingeditor@lanthorn.com

“I treasure the student work that I buy for $50 as much as I treasure the masterpiece artwork [donated to GVSU].” henry matthews Director of Galleries and Collections

in public places not only enhances our surroundings but provides everyone on the campus with exposure to a museum-quality collection – a teaching experience that few other campuses offer,” McLogan said.

“That’s why a number of local collectors have given us wonderful works of art to share with the campus community.”

Jim Bachmeier, director of Finance and Administration said the art collection is “very dependent on donor gifts.”

“We have received many great pieces from generous donors who value the university’s practice of displaying art all over campus rather than a single gallery,” Bachmeier said.

Nonetheless, the university also allocates $215,500 to the Art Gallery each year for the purpose of art acquisitions and operating expenses, including framing, labeling, maintenance and office costs.

Matthews said the funds also cover “mini programs” and 16 exhibitions held throughout the year. He also added that the annual amount apportioned to the Art Gallery does not come close to the value of the art collection, which he said far exceeds $3 million.

The appraised value, he said, comes from the many gifts donated by people in the US and abroad. However, the professional work does not overshadow the pieces produced by student hands.

“I treasure the student work that I may buy for $50 as much as I treasure the masterpiece artwork [donated to GVSU],” Matthews said.

And he’s not the only one who appreciates the aesthetic scenes.

“When I take folks on tours of the campus, our guests almost always comment on our artwork and note how it sets us apart from other universities,” McLogan said. news@lanthorn.com

B SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

sports@lanthorn.com

S P O R T S E D I TO R B R A DY F R E D E R I C K S E N W .

S P O R T S

SHORTS Softball team gains weekday sweep Coming off a weekend where the Grand Valley State University softball team took five of six games on the weekend, the team continued its strong play on Wednesday with a road split against Tiffin University, earning the Lakers their first GLIAC win of the season.

GVSU was led by the pitching of junior Hannah Santora, who allowed only one hit in the Lakers’ lone victory in game two. The team again won with its pitching, but a home run by junior designated player Katie Martin helped give Santora and the Lakers the win.

Read a full recap on the Lakers’ Wednesday split online at www.lanthorn.com/ sports.

Golf outing registration opens While the weather has served as more of a tease than a refreshment to golfers these last few weeks, come June, the weather will be great and the golf season will be underway.

Registration for the Irwin Athletic Fund Golf Outing and Social on Thursday, June 7 at The Meadows Golf Club at Grand Valley State University.

Interested parties can register online at www.gvsu. edu/athletics/irwingolf, and those who fully pay prior to April 20 will be entered in a drawing for a free cart-included round of golf for four at The Meadows.

G V S U

SCHEDULE Softball

Freshmen fuel emerging team

BY Jon Van Zytveld

GVL ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Sunday vs Ferris, noon

Sunday vs Ferris, 2 p.m.

Baseball

Sunday vs Ashland, Sunday vs Ashland,

BY Melanie Huhn

1 p.m.

Saturday vs Ashland, 3:30 p.m. noon

2:30 p.m.

W. Lacrosse Friday at Fort Lewis, 2:00 p.m.

Sunday at Regis University, 2:00 p.m.

M. Tennis Friday vs Lake Erie, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday vs Ohio

Dominican University, 10 a.m.

M. Golf Saturday at Northern

Kentucky University, all day Sunday at Northern Kentucky University, all day

M. Track & Field Saturday at Saginaw

Valley State, 12:00 p.m.

W. Track & Field Saturday vs Saginaw Valley State, noon

W. Golf Saturday at Ohio

Dominican University, all day Sunday at Ohio Dominican University, all day

W. Soccer Saturday at Notre Dame, 11 a.m.

Sunday at Valparaiso, 2:30 p.m.

GVL Archive

Youth movement: In its inaugural season, the women’s lacrosse team, led by freshman Sarah Lowe (16), currently features 19 true or redshirt freshman.

eral of the Laker freshmen had a learning curve to conquer before they could truly expect to succeed in college varsity sports.

“It was a bit difficult at first but I sort of expected it,” Luberto said. “It is a huge commitment, and it’s hard missing out on some social stuff, but it is definitely worth it. I wouldn’t

have it any other way.”

Despite the challenges, the new Lakers have found the lacrosse team to be a mutually beneficial experience.

Neuman found that being a member of a varsity team has improved her academic life significantly, pushing her to excel as a Laker, both on the field and in the classroom.

“With the amount that we travel and practice, it really has forced me to become a better time manager and really put my study skills into a good use,” she said. “Without learning to manage my time and keeping a good grade point average, I wouldn’t be able to play, so lacrosse has really helped me to keep motivated to be successful in the classroom as well as the field.”

As the team return to the road this weekend for games in Colorado and Ohio, the freshmen are expected, like the rest of the team, to perform to the best of their ability and to demonstrate their passion for lacrosse.

As they do so, Groveston said, they will be building the foundation for an already strong program.

“The amazing thing has been, and will continue to be, watching them improve together,” Groveston said.

“That is the greatest thing for us, and the most significant. We have a core group of young ladies who are helping us write history and create our own tradition. What they create now will always be the foundation for Grand Valley lacrosse.” assistantsports@lanthorn.com

L A C R O S S E

Nationals or bust Club lacrosse looks beyond perfection, to end goal of a national title

Saturday vs Ashland,

Alicia groveston HEAD coach

M .

1 p.m.

3 p.m.

“The amazing thing has been, and will continue to be, watching them improve together. That is the greatest thing for us, and the most significant.

We have a core group of young ladies helping us write history and create our own tradition.”

D

uring its inaugural season, the Grand Valley State University women’s lacrosse team (4-4) has steadily improved its skills, an effect which GVSU coach Alicia Groveston attributes to the emergence of the freshmen as a force to be reckoned with.

“The freshmen have done a good job adapting,” she said. “There have been mental errors and hiccups, but for the most part they have exceeded our expectations. They are getting to the point where they are comfortable and confident making decisions on the fly and holding one another accountable.”

While the Laker freshmen have not had an easy path so far this year, they all agree that being a varsity athlete has been one of the best decisions of their lives.

“Creating a new program has, at times, been very frustrating, but it is worth every minute,” said freshman midfielder Jordan Luberto. “Being a new team, we are still trying to get into our own rhythm and create new traditions, but I definitely think we are on our way to creating a really good thing.”

However, with the high success rate of Laker sports, the young players felt a certain amount of pressure to live up to the GVSU standard.

“As far as making a new program goes, it definitely puts a lot of pressure on the whole team,” said freshman midfielder Alyssa Neuman.

“We want to go out and prove to everyone how good of a team we are.

With Grand Valley being such a great athletic school, we want to keep that going with the development of our program.”

Coming out of high school, sev-

Saturday vs Ferris, Saturday vs Ferris,

L A C R O S S E

GVL STAFF WRITER

Even though the Grand Valley State University men’s lacrosse team is technically a club sport, the players treat their practices and games as though they were part of a varsity program. Looking to win their first national championship, the Lakers have taken no prisoners thus far this season as they head down the home stretch.

Currently sitting at an undefeated 6-0, the Lakers are ranked first in the West Division of the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association and third in the nation in Division II. This weekend, the team faces one of its toughest opponents, Dayton University, who rank second in the nation and first in the CCLA East Division.

The Lakers haven’t been shy of great competition this season. With a steady schedule, they have managed to capture wins against ranked competitors like St. John’s University (96) Indiana Tech (17-7). However, a perfect season isn’t the first thing that comes to mind for the team — it’s a national title.

“Every year that is our goal,” said senior Cory Gordon, team lacrosse.

“Since 2008, the program took a serious competitive look at the sport and we have changed the way we trained, practiced and competed. We run our team more like a varsity program with stick practices and team rules.

We always try to improve and make small steps here and there, but you can’t make the big step unless you

make the small steps first.”

Making sure those small steps are taken first, the Lakers have been in the right mindset since fall training, helping to create their team camaraderie on and off the field. After graduating last season’s top goal scorer, Cam Holding, people have questioned the team’s all-around game play-making it their priority to prove they are a championship team.

“Despite losing our top seniors, we are an all-around team this year,” said senior defensive man Tyler McCullen. “We have a solid defense, solid goal tending and add that too our always strong offense. Our biggest assets this year is our hard work.”

Like a varsity program, men’s lacrosse head coach Tim Murray and his assistants have changed operation during practice, improving the player’s knowledge of the game and discipline, which allows the players to stay in the competitive mindset. After losing twice in the championship over the last two years to cross-town rival Davenport University, the Lakers understand their role of responsibility and are hoping that this season will be enough to get them their “two years in the making” national title.

Making sure not to look past the rest of the season, senior captain Daniel Mac Donell couldn’t pinpoint one area of their game, that the Lakers needed to improve because they are confident in their game playbut that doesn’t mean they won’t stop bettering themselves.

“We have been working on just being comfortable on the field with each other” he said. “You can’t really improve unless you’re put into certain situations. We have been put into several different situations this season that have given us an opportunity to grow as a student of the game, and be able to look at those situations and

GVL Archive

Follow the leader: Junior CJ Scholl (pictured above) has helped to lead the GVSU men’s club lacrosse team to an undefeated, 6-0 record this season.

be like I did this wrong, this right and we are getting better. This will help us in the future when we face future opponents.”

Looking to continue their streak

the Lakers will face Dayton on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio, and Davenport on April 14. mhuhn@lanthorn.com

B2 SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 R O W I N G

G O L F

California love

GVL / Bo Anderson

Going pro: PGA Tour Pro Mike Sullivan swings his golf club on GVSU’s Meadows golf course in Allendale. Sullivan is the new director of instruction of the Kendall Academy there.

Hitting the Links New golf instructor brings insight, experience to The Meadows

BY Brady Fredericksen GVL Sports Editor

Growing up, Mike Sullivan’s first love was the on the ice.

A hockey player in his youth, the new Director of Instruction of the Kendall Academy at The Meadows golf club actually didn’t pick up the game he now teaches until the 10th grade.

Despite his frozen roots, Sullivan, 51, has since taken to golf and proven that even a once self-proclaimed “hack” can mold their game and become an instructor.

“There’s time’s when (golf) appears to be frustrating to people, but it doesn’t need to be,” Sullivan said.

“Golf is about fun, you can do it your entire life. What you can learn through instruction is a huge eye opener to take that frustration out of the game.”

The Ferris State University graduate brings a degree in professional golf management along with 37 years of playing experience to the position. Although his focus is primarily with patrons of The Meadows, Sullivan also boasts a relationship with current GVSU men’s golf coach Don Underwood.

“I’ve gotten to know (Mike) better since he’s been here, but I have known Mike for quite a while and think he’ll do a wonderful job,” Underwood said. “This has been a place where people come to learn the game of golf, practice the game of golf and come on the course and

GVL / Eric Coulter

West side story: A men’s rowing team pulls during practice before the San Diego Crew Classic.

“It’s the youth in you ... to watch somebody at that age make that first accomplishment in golf - whatever it might be - just to see somebody is what’s rewarding about it.”

mike sullivan director of instruction enjoy the game of golf — I think Mike will help continue that.”

In terms of the course itself, The Meadows ranks as the No. 22 college golf course in the nation, according to the magazine Links, and has hosted a combined seven men’s and women’s NCAA Division II Championships.

Prior to his arrival at The Meadows earlier this month, Sullivan worked at both Island Hills Golf Club in Centreville, Mich., and worked as a part of the Kendall Academy at Gull Lake View Golf Club in Augusta, Mich.

That Kendall Academy works as an organization designed for golf instruction. This will be Sullivan’s second go-around with the Kendall Academy and that, along with The Meadows’ reputation, was a big reason for his career move.

“Through the years we’ve had a long history of the top instructional groups coming into our facilities to teach out of,” Underwood said. “The organization Mike represents has kind of emerged as the top teaching organization in the state for sure, so they’ve got some wonderful people teaching.”

It’s also about the people for Sullivan. The chance to work with patrons of the course and current GVSU students, helping to get that career-best score or perfect putt, is something exciting for him.

“It’s the youth in you ... to watch somebody at that age make that first accomplishment in golf — whatever it might be — just to see that excitement in somebody is what’s rewarding about it,” Sullivan said. “It’s a game that you can just do forever.”

Sullivan and The Meadows are close to having everything up and running for the upcoming summer season with hopes of being ready around April 10, and Sullivan is ready to get on the course.

“We really want to grow the program,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully, we are able to get enough interest that people are coming from the Grand Rapids’ surrounding area to create programs other than just private instruction. Hopefully we’re able to grow the numbers, which will then just attract more people to The Meadows so they can enjoy the golf course across the street.” sports@lanthorn.com

Equipped with new boat, rowers heads west for San Diego Crew Classic

BY Joe Maher-Edgin GVL STAFF WRITER

W

hen the men’s and women’s eights teams of Grand Valley State University’s club rowing team hit the water Saturday — and potentially Sunday — this weekend, they’ll have one teammate and fan cheering from halfway around the world.

“He’s a team captain, he’s a real athlete, and one of the fastest rowers we have, so we’re definitely missing him,” co-captain and teammate Justin Wegner said.

Junior rower Robbie DeWeerd, currently serving with the United States Navy, left Grand Valley State University and his teammates on Jan. 2 in preparation for military deployment. After training and a 10-day leave in early March, DeWeerd was deployed to Afghanistan, where he will work as a corrections officer until Dec. 12, 2012.

With a spirited and hardworking member of their team absent, there was little hesitation among the GVSU crew when it came time to clad a name to the side of a brand new boat the team is taking with them out to California.

“We’re demo-ing a boat from King right now and so it didn’t have an official name,” Wegner said.

Head coach John Bancheri said the boat from King Racing Shells, a rowing equipment manufacturer based in

Norwalk, Conn., was provided for free for trial use during the spring season.

“They gave us a $35,000 boat as a demo, for the season, for free,” Bancheri said. “So it was unnamed and tradition is that when you go to your first race the boat should be named.”

Though the “test-drive” boat, as Bancheri called it, is much needed, the boat is being “borrowed” and the team isn’t able mark a name on it as the team has done on the other boats in the Laker fleet.

But that didn’t stop the GVSU crew from breaking tradition.

“The guys said ‘Let’s just put Robbie’s name on there because he’s part of the boat,’” Bancheri said.

“They put it on with electrical tape. Robbie was in the boat in the fall season and he would’ve been there in the spring too, so that’s what they’re trying to say: that he’s still a part of them. It’s one of those band of brothers things.”

The teams will compete with their boat, “Robbie,” Saturday in their preliminary races. Winners advance to the finals on Sunday.

The men’s team are seeded No. 1 of 20 teams and will race against Orange Coast College, Oklahoma City University, Washington State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California State University-Long Beach and Chapman University in their first race. The

GVSU women will take the water in lane four of the third heat of their first race and will face the University of Iowa, Oregon State University, Saint Joseph’s University, University of Miami (FL) and Santa Clara University.

“The women are ranked No. 10,” Bancheri said.

“There’s a lot less experience because we graduated five out of the varsity eights last year, so we’re what people consider as rebuilding.

But to our pleasant surprise, this year’s team has become very competitive, so we’re in the hunt.”

Wegner is expecting pretty tough competition from the men’s competition, but feels confident that his team will do well.

“Last time we went, we placed second so we all have expectations to go in and race according to our season,” Wegner said. “With the warm weather we got on the water early so that extra time has helped us a lot.

We’re all really excited to travel to the other side of the country and represent our school. We’ve all worked really hard all winter to get here, so it should be a really good experience.”

Live results of the 2012 San Diego Crew Classic will be made available on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ crewclassic. Live video is also available on race day at www.crewclassic.org/video. jmaheredgin@lanthorn.com

SPORTS B3

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 R U N N I N G

C L U B

Fun Run

GV running club set to debut in NIRCA

BY Bryce Derouin GVL STAFF WRITER

F

GVL / Amalia Heichelbech

On the run: Members of the Running Club train outside of GVSU’s Fieldhouse. This is the club’s first year as official members of the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association, which holds competitions.

or the Grand Valley State University Running Club, winning isn’t the only thing on its minds as it continues its first season as a member of the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association.

GVSU will make its debut in the Spring Track Road Championships this Saturday in Bloomington, Ind. The goal of NIRCA is to “promote the sport of competitive running for students at the collegiate club level”.

“It’s pretty important,” said club president Kevin Hausfeld. “This is our first year as part of the organization. We’re looking to go out there and have a good time. We’re having seven people go from the club, six of the seven are doing the half marathon, which is the road portion of the meet, and one person is running the 800-meter run.”

A half marathon run consists of 13.1 miles.

GVSU currently has between 30 to 40 active members in the running club. Only a portion of the team is going to the meet this year, so the team will look to beat their own personal times.

“We’re hoping to have a good showing,” said junior officer Zach Weber.

“The goal is to just have

“It’s pretty important. This is our first year as a part of the organization (NIRCA). We’re looking to go out there and have a good time.” kevin hausfeld President GVSU running club

fast times for each of us.

Just show others that next year we will be people to contend with.”

The runners taking part in the meet have been putting in extra time to prepare. With this being the first NIRCA meet of the winter semester for GVSU, one of the main things they are looking for is to gain experience.

“We have been training a little bit longer than usual,” said junior officer Sarah Drevon. “We’ve been getting in some long runs. We’re just looking to go for personal times, rather than win as a team and see how everything works out. We have never done this before, so we’re kind of just feeling it out.”

The running club at GVSU allows for all skill levels to join, whether it is the serious runner who trains every day, or someone just looking to join as a beginner.The club is open to anyone interested in running. ”We have people that are super competitive that

can run 16-minute 5K’s,” Weber said. “Then we have people that just run two or three times a week for fun. It just depends on who you are, but we cater to both the competitive and the social runner. We have competitive practices where people run really fast, and we have social runs as well.”

Currently, the club has an equal amount of competitive runners to recreational runners. At the start of the year, 60 people were involved in the club, but that number has fallen off a little.

The club doesn’t have any requirements in order to join.

“We don’t have any requirement for pace or anything,” Weber said.

“We have groups that run together in the same pace.

You usually run with people in the same level in the club.”

The next event for the GVSU running club will be the Wheel Run, which will take place on April 14. bderouin@lanthorn.com

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a&e

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

arts@lanthorn.com

A R T S & E N T E RTA I N M E N T E D I TO R B R I A N A D O O L A N

ROCK AGAINST RAPE GVL Archive

Rock lobster: Students gather in GVSU’s Fieldhouse Arena for the 2011 Rock Against Rape event, a collaboration between student advocates Eyes Wide Open, the GVSU Women’s Center and others.

EWO, Women’s Center use music, poetry, performance to educate about assault

BY Chris LaFoy GVL STAFF WRITER

A

ccording to a Grand Valley State University survey completed in 2011, one in five women and one in 15 men will be the victim of a sexual assault before graduating college. It is for that reason that multiple GVSU organizations are working together to put on a concert to both entertain and raise awareness.

The annual concert, Rock Against Rape, will be held at the Fieldhouse Arena on Saturday, and is a collaborative effort between different university and student organizations, including

Eyes Wide Open and the Women’s Center.

“Eyes Wide Open is the organization on campus that educates on sexual assault,” said Jessica Krebs, GVSU senior and vice pesident of EWO. “We give presentations, provide support and resources for victims and survivors and put on or co-sponsor events such as Rock Against Rape.”

Other events the organization sponsors and organizes include Take Back the Night, the Clothesline Project and the Sexual Assault Awareness Week, starting Monday.

The Rock Against Rape concert will feature two live bands, a slam poet and a performance by the student group ReAct. “I am really looking forward to seeing the bands Believe You Me and Sargent Avenue,” Krebs said. “I have listened to a lot of their work online and they are going to put on a really good show.”

ReAct is a theater group comprised of GVSU students that perform short skits in order to prevent and inform about instances of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“I am most excited to see ReAct,” said Jordan Cross, GVSU senior and President of Eyes Wide Open. “They are an excellent group of students who put together skits based on sexual assault experiences.”

Krebs agreed that this topic may be difficult to speak about, but raising awareness is paramount.

“It is an incredibly important topic, especially since people generally don’t like to talk about this form of violence because it makes them uncomfortable,” Krebs said.

The event is free and open to the public but donations of toiletries such as toothpaste and deodorant are both welcome and encouraged.

Free refreshments will be available and t-shirts

will be sold. All donations and revenue from shirts will go directly to the organization Women in Transition in Holland and the YWCA in Grand Rapids.

This concert is the unofficial kick-off of the Sexual Assault Awareness Week. This week of learning and prevention will include multiple events including two nationally-recognized speakers.

“The mission of Rock Against Rape is to raise awareness of the reality of sexual assault on the GVSU campus in a non-traditional atmosphere,” Cross said. “While sexual assault is never a light issue, the goal of RAR is to create awareness through music, fun and solidarity.”

Information about upcoming events will be available at the Rock Against Rape concert this Saturday at 6pm in the Field House. clafoy@lanthorn.com

Review: Movemedia I is more than sum of its parts

BY Cory Finkbeiner GVL STAFF WRITER

GVL / Eric Coulter

Dress rehearsal: Two students rehearse for GVSU theater group STAGE’s spring play in the Kirkhof Center’s Area 51 on Wednesday evening, the same place it premiere tonight at 7 p.m.

Student theater group to STAGE spring play

BY Briana Doolan GVL A&E Editor

Grand Valley State University’s STAGE will host its spring play this weekend.

“Beautiful Upon Exploding” premieres tonight at 7 p.m. in Area 51 in Kirkhof. Shows are free and open to the public.

Matthew Fowler, president of STAGE said that STAGE is the only theater-oriented student organization on campus and is completely run by students.

STAGE is dedicated to providing opportunities for Grand Valley students to be involved in all aspects of theater, according to the organization’s STUEY page. A main goal of STAGE is to promote student-written work in a theater setting. Shows are written, directed, produced and performed by students.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to come and experience performing with little commitment,” Fowler said.

The play is written and directed by junior Andrew Wernette.

“Beautiful Upon Exploding” is a semi-linear story that centers around Elle Curran, a high school teacher who has an affair with one of her female students, Wernette said.

“The play tracks a year in Elle’s, and other character’s lives, as they begin to unravel and fall apart,” Wernette said. “It focuses on the themes of emotional isolationism and the importance of relationships with others. There are comedic elements, but this is largely a tragedy.”

Wernette said, if anything, this is a character piece.

“Elle, the main focus of the story, starts the play having had an affair with one of her students,” Wernette said. “She is also revealed to have ovarian cancer, and as her life begins to fall apart, so too, does her health.”

The cast is made of nine, and a large portion of the other characters reappear and interact.

“You get to see Cory, the student at the heart of the affair — she’s a witty fast-talker who’s able to just run circles around people, but she gets her life messed-up throughout the plot as well,” Wernette said. “The third main force throughout is Reed, a tag-along nice guy Elle starts a relationship with. As he says himself, ‘I’m Reed Massinger, I’m here to help.’”

But, he said he thinks the main force here is figuring out what makes Elle tick, and for people to decide how they feel about her by the end.

“This isn’t a play where you can sit by and let it wash over you,” Wernette said. “As an audience member, you’ll have to give a little of yourself if you want something back. But, if you can sit still and invest yourself in this little dream happening on the stage, I would hope that we could build some sort of connection with you.

Wernette swears that there is a message to be heard, he said, the audience just has to listen for it.

“The thing about a tragedy that is different from a comedy, is how you feel during and after a performance,” Fowler said. “Comedies will make you laugh for sure, but there’s something about tragedies that really hits home and makes you feel better about your own life — we all have a natural curiosity for the unknown, the extreme, for things that seem dark and sad. If we didn’t, people would stop making horror and drama flicks.”

STAGE meets on Thursdays for their main meetings at 9 p.m. and the writer’s guild at 10 p.m. in Kirkhof Room 0072. Visit www2.gvsu. edu/~stage for more information.

“Don’t be afraid to come and join us,” Fowler said. “We’re all accepting of new members.

We want to help them exercise their passion for performing — we understand and want to help people that don’t have an outlet.” arts@lanthorn.com

The Grand Rapids Ballet Company teamed with Grand Valley State University and Olivier Wevers to bring the dance and media innovation Movemedia to the Peter Martin Wege Theatre for its first weekend of performances.

Accomplished ballerina and artistic director of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company Patricia Barker welcomed six unique choreographers to work with uninterrupted time and studio space, the end result being a two-weekend exhibition of technique and technology.

Artist-in-residence and Belgian ballet pro Olivier Wevers was the guest of honor and his original piece “This is Not a Raincoat” was the grand finale, and an example of Barker’s vision of futuristic ballet.

It transcended song and dance and became a moving artwork, modern in its uniquely chopped soundtrack and classic in its balletic skill.

GVSU’s own Sean T. Bible presented a thinking piece, a statement. The Movemedia original “Why We Write” was a comment on the diminishing medium of handwriting.

Bible equated it to the loss of one’s signature, a part of who we are.

Bible’s “Why We Write” was a dense and thought-provoking step forward for Grand Rapids Ballet, and GVSU-Grand Rapids artistic relations.

Bible even provided a cryptic nod to ancient Egyptian manuscript, projecting the performer-written words: “Liquid communication a mixture of water, soot and vegetable gum.”

Bible did his homework,

Courtesy Photo / Chris Clark

Seamless: Dancers from Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s (pictured) paired with GVSU dancers for last weekend’s Movemedia performance alongside Oliver Weavers.

and flexed the advantages of being a professor.

Modern techniquedriven Francis Lawrence choreographed “Disconnect,” the opening performance, and performed in “Fragments.”

Lawrence said his choreographed piece “Disconnect” was an abstract look at how one deals with isolation, intimacy, change and rejection, portrayed through five movements.

Lawrence told the audience he wanted to keep the piece abstract so everyone could draw personally indifferent ways.

Lawrence danced in Wevers’ “Fragments” alongside Chelsea Clow.

It was a two-person, gender-bending piece with Lawrence performing in

a formal dress. The piece was originally written for two women, but Wevers said he cast based on who was right for the part, not sex.

Both of Lawrence’s pieces provoked thoughts of male and female roles.

The innovative spirit of the night would not have been possible without the lighting facilitation of Matthew Taylor and Michael Mazzola. The lighting design was art in itself, art that’s socially acceptable to dance on.

Movemedia’s Program II will premiere April 6 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre in downtown Grand Rapids. GVSU’s Dale Schriemer will perform. cfinkbeiner@ lanthorn.com

B5

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

MARKETPLACE Announcements BBG Communicatioins Scholarship http://bit.ly/GIosOJ Award $1000, for students 16-21, 2.5 GPA or above, must have 1 full year remaining at time of award. Two essay questions. Deadline 30 June 2012.

Grand Rapids Combined Theater http://bit.ly/zHpO6D Award $1000-3000, Deadline April 1. Must be full time theater art major, provide an experience at a local theater and 3 letters of recommendation Grand Rapids Community Foundation http://bit.ly/9MlnVc Many opportunities with a general application, residents of Kent County and graduates of surrounding high schools.

Awards vary, application deadline April 1.

GVSU Facilities Services thanks you for helping to reduce energy, natural gas and water costs by making small changes to your daily routine!

GVSU Facilities Services thanks you for helping to reduce energy, natural gas and water costs by making small changes to your daily changes!

Hazing Awareness Scholarship http://bit.ly/GIoGW6 Award 700, enrollment in accredited college with Greek Social Setting, good standing with 2.0 GPA min. Deadline April 6.

University Townhouses & Apartments, GVSU’s best kept deal. Lowest rates guaranteed! Call (616)447-5511 for more information.

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TIME WASTERS

Puzzle Solutions

B6

a&e

Grand Valley Lanthorn THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

GV Nerf Club readies for

epic battle

BY Brian Ledtke GVL STAFF WRITER

Courtesy Photo / Mary Beth Quillin

Get Wilde: The Stark Turn Players (pictured), a theater group founded by GVSU alumni, will begin their 2012 season with a performance of “Wilde Tales Retold,” a collection of Oscar Wilde stories.

Play where the Wilde things are

BY Cory Finkbeiner GVL STAFF WRITER

T

he Stark Turn Players are kicking off the 2012 season with “Wilde Tales Retold”, an adaptation of some of Oscar Wilde’s more fanciful tales, at Dog Story Theater.

The couplet of one-act plays was written for stage

by Grand Valley State University alum and Stark Turn Players founding member Sarah Stark and directed

by GVSU professor Mary Beth Quillin. The cast includes current GVSU students Brandon Marshall and LaPorscha Stewart.

Wilde’s “The Happy Prince” and “The Nightingale and the Rose” are bittersweet fictions complete with talking wildlife and universal lessons, and they will be retold with original musical accompaniment from local performing artist and composer Joel Schindlbeck.

“Both of the shows are fun, light, fantastical, but

Social secondary

they also have a very serious message, a very sacred message,” said Stark.

Schindlbeck’s composition captures this tone well, said Stark. “(Wilde) wrote the stories for the childlike,” Quillin said. “But they both contain a lot of social commentary…Directing it is a little bit of a challenge.”

Because the plays contain elements of talking birds and other woodland objects, the personification of such players becomes difficult. But Quillin said one of her objectives was to keep the plays believable, at least in an abstract sense.

“They’re not going to have beaks, or be walking around on all fours,” said Quillin of her actors Stewart and Marshall.

Stark said the GVSU actors are doing a tremendous job.

“The interesting challenge for (Stewart) is bringing this bird’s physicality to life,” Stark said.

“Brandon adds a genuineness and sincerity to it.”

The talking nature is an important part of Wilde’s commentary, Stark said.

“They have wisdom that trumps human wisdom,” she said. “The human characters are out of whack with nature, almost above it. The animals help them come to terms. They add a whimsical element.”

The two stories combine the excitement and cruelty of young love and the ways in which nature amends for human folly and many of human’s shortcomings.

The Dog Story Theater will host the event. “(The theater is) a flexible space,” Quillin said.

“It’s a black box. You can use it in so many different ways.”

The Dog Story Theater is located in downtown Grand Rapids, 7 Jefferson SE. Tickets are $8 for students.

For more information visit starkturnplayers.org. cfinkbeiner@lanthorn.com

Grand Valley State University’s Nerf Club is hosting “the largest Nerf game” on the Allendale Campus’ Kelly Family Sports Center at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tanner Maten, vice president of the Nerf Club, said the club wanted to share its passion and spread the word about the Nerf Club.

“We’ve had three Nerf on the Turf’s before, and the turnout has always been good,” Maten said.

The Nerf Club was started last year when Patrick Schaefer, the president, and his roommate started having Nerf battles in their dorms.

When they discovered there were Nerf clubs on other campuses, they decided to form their own.

“When we started the club our initial idea was to have large events that were more public, such as massive campus wide outdoor battles,” Schaefer said. “However, the higher ups said we absolutely could not do that, so that’s why Nerf on the Turf is such a great event and opportunity.”

Nerf on the Turf is the only event that the Nerf Club hosts that allows non club members to play.

“It’s a great way to see if you want to join the club, or even just to have some fun,” Maten said. “What’s better then a bunch of college students playing with Nerf guns.”

In order to play students must sign a waiver.

The rules will then be explained, teams will be sorted

Courtesy Photo / Allyssa Allor

Armed to the teeth: Patrick Schaefer, president of the Nerf Club, dons his war gear prior to Saturday’s epic Nerf battle.

and the battle will begin.

Games such as team battles, hardcore, capture the flag and zombie survival will be played.

Kyle VanCamp, financial officer of the club, said they operate using the honor rule.

“If someone says you were hit, you do not fight it, you accept it,” VanCamp said. “We also frown upon aiming for the face of your opponent.”

VanCamp said they are excited to see more involvement. “(The) more people, means more fun for everybody,” VanCamp said. “This

is an event that welcomes everyone to try something new and get active in a fun way.

Who wants to spend hours on a treadmill when they can have fun with their friends getting the same benefits?”

It is recommended that you have your own Nerf blaster, but you can also borrow some from other members.

The club meets on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. in Kirkhof Center Room 2263.

The Nerf club is also putting on Zombie Turf on April 14 at 8:30 p.m. bledtke@lanthorn.com